Ballistic expert denies perjury charges in court

Ballistic expert Prem Sagar Minocha, facing perjury notice for allegedly introducing two-weapon theory in the trial of model Jessica Lall's murder, on Tuesday claimed innocence in Delhi high court saying he never deviated from his report.

Ballistic expert Prem Sagar Minocha, facing perjury notice for allegedly introducing two-weapon theory in the trial of model Jessica Lall's murder, on Tuesday claimed innocence in Delhi high court saying he never deviated from his report.

HT Image

He was accused of backing the two-gun theory put forward by actor Shyan Munshi who contended that main accused Manu Sharma had only fired in air and two cartridges were fired from different guns. Trial court relied on it heavily and said there was not enough proof that the shot from Manu’s gun killed Jessica.

The high court is hearing witnesses to ascertain if a case of perjury was made out against them. It comes a year after Supreme Court upheld life term given to Manu by the high court for killing Jessica in April 1999.

Minocha's counsel submitted before a bench of justice S Ravindra Bhat and justice GP Mittal, "The notice for my prosecution for the offence of perjury was not maintainable as I was an expert witness and did not deviate from my report."

Minocha is among 31 prosecution witnesses who were issued perjury notices by the high court for allegedly differing from their police statements during the case trial, which led to the acquittal of Manu and eight others by the lower court.